Pol Lt Col Bundit Khawsutham, Pol Lt Col Nikom Tienhow and Pol Maj Urumporn Koondejsumrit, all from the Phuket Tourist Police, led the raid along with other officials.

The offenders caught with pirated goods, including sneakers, handbags, purses and wallets with brands such as Gucci and Louis Vuitton, were named as Boonseub Kandee, Panya Yingdang, Onpailin Jatuten and Pojjanee Jontaun.

Three others were arrested for remaining open and selling alcohol past the legal time at the venues of Rock City, Bamboo Bar and Hero Bar.

Col Yossawee Pornpeerapan said, “Wiping out crime and intellectual property infringement are regarded as an important policy of the Royal Thai Police. We have been continuously trying to arrest dealers who sell illegal goods.

“This is difficult because many of the dealers do not store them so they are visible – they hide them out the back of their stalls. But we are still working hard to combat this,” he said.

The raid on pirated goods is part of a government crackdown across five tourist provinces between July 1 and 15. Officials will focus on drugs, overpriced taxi fares, pirated goods, general crime, and child labour, as well as checking work permits and permit to stays belonging to foreigners.